King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme Climate Resilience Fellowships: Opportunities for Young Leaders. The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) is inviting experienced climate adaptation professionals, sustainability experts, community leaders, and practitioners to apply as Professional Mentors for the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) Climate Resilience Fellowships.
Inspired by His Majesty King Charles III, this initiative aims to strengthen climate adaptation capacity across Commonwealth Small Island Developing States (SIDS). It equips frontline professionals with advanced knowledge, practical skills, and structured support so they can tackle some of the most pressing climate challenges facing vulnerable communities.
The ACU is seeking committed mentors who can guide Fellows as they design, implement, and report on applied climate adaptation projects. These projects form a core part of a one-year accredited postgraduate certificate programme in Climate Adaptation Practice.
Why This Programme Exists
Climate change disproportionately affects Small Island Developing States. Rising sea levels, coastal erosion, extreme weather events, water insecurity, biodiversity loss, and threats to livelihoods have created an urgent need for locally driven adaptation solutions.
The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme Climate Resilience Fellowships were established to address this need by supporting professionals who are already working on climate adaptation across Commonwealth SIDS.
Fellows receive:
- Accredited professional development training
- A postgraduate certificate in Climate Adaptation Practice
- Opportunities to deliver practical, workplace-based climate adaptation projects
- Access to expert mentors and supervisors
- Support to develop solutions that are relevant to local contexts
- Connections to regional and international climate adaptation networks
Professional mentors are essential to the success of these projects. They help Fellows turn academic learning into effective, real-world action.
Other Commonwealth Programs
- Commonwealth Fund Grant Programs – The Overview Scholars use for Research
- 6 Fellowships Offered by Commonwealth Fund (2026–2027 Cycles) that are Fully Funded Program
- Commonwealth Fund Harkness Fellowships: International Opportunity in Health Care Policy and Practice
- Commonwealth Fellowship UK: Applications Open for Fully Funded Academic & Professional Fellowships
- UK Commonwealth Fellowship Now Open for Fully Funded Academic and Professional Opportunity
Why Mentors Matter
Practical expertise is critical for meaningful climate adaptation outcomes. Mentors support Fellows by helping them:
- Strengthen project design and implementation strategies
- Align their work with national climate priorities and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs)
- Navigate technical and operational challenges
- Engage stakeholders effectively
- Ensure projects deliver sustainable and measurable impact
- Develop solutions that enhance local climate resilience
Through this guidance, Fellows are better able to connect theory with practice and increase the effectiveness of adaptation efforts in their communities.
Role of Professional Mentors
Mentors guide Fellows through three main phases of their workplace-based climate adaptation projects:
1. Project Planning Support
- Review project concepts and plans
- Provide technical guidance
- Offer constructive feedback to improve quality
- Ensure alignment with National Adaptation Plans
- Suggest relevant stakeholders and potential partnerships
2. Project Delivery Support
- Offer ongoing advice during implementation
- Help address emerging challenges
- Support effective project management and execution
- Encourage the use of best practices in climate adaptation
3. Project Reporting Support
- Review final project reports
- Provide feedback on findings and recommendations
- Help strengthen the quality of reporting
- Support reflection on lessons learned and impact achieved
Who Should Apply?
Applications Open for King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme Climate Resilience Fellowships. The ACU is looking for experienced professionals who combine technical knowledge with practical experience and an understanding of local contexts.
Suitable mentor profiles include:
1. Climate Adaptation Practitioners
Professionals working in NGOs, government agencies, environmental organisations, climate resilience initiatives, or National Adaptation Plan implementation programmes.
2. Private Sector Leaders
Individuals involved in sustainable agriculture, climate-smart business solutions, water security, green infrastructure, or environmental innovation.
3. Indigenous and Community Leaders
Experts in traditional resource management, community-based adaptation, coastal resilience, nature-based solutions, or Indigenous climate knowledge systems.
4. Cross-Sector Experts
Professionals who can bridge policy and implementation, research and practice, or community engagement and technical solutions.
Mentor Responsibilities
Successful mentors will be expected to:
- Build a productive mentoring relationship with their assigned Fellows
- Participate in scheduled online meetings
- Review project documents and plans
- Provide technical and strategic guidance
- Offer practical, actionable recommendations
- Support alignment with local and national climate priorities
- Help identify risks and opportunities
- Encourage high-quality climate adaptation outcomes
Time Commitment
The mentorship role is designed to be manageable while still providing meaningful support. Approximate time requirements per Fellow are:
- April 2026 – Relationship Building
Initial introductions, project discussions, and one online meeting
→ Approximately 60 minutes - May – August 2026 – Project Planning
Document review, feedback, stakeholder suggestions, and consultations
→ Approximately 120 minutes of document review + two 15-minute online sessions - September – December 2026 – Project Delivery
Ongoing advice and support
→ Four 15-minute online sessions - December 2026 – January 2027 – Project Reporting
Report review and feedback
→ Approximately 120 minutes of document review + two 15-minute online sessions
Total estimated commitment: Around 7 hours per Fellow across the full Fellowship period.
Honorarium and Benefits for KCFP Climate Resilience Fellowships
Successful mentors will receive:
- An honorarium of up to GBP 200
- The opportunity to contribute directly to climate resilience efforts across Commonwealth Small Island Developing States
- Professional recognition through participation in a prestigious Commonwealth initiative
- Access to a global network of climate adaptation professionals
- The chance to support the next generation of climate resilience leaders
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The Association of Commonwealth Universities is committed to equal opportunity. Applications are welcomed from individuals regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief, or marital or civil partnership status. The programme values diverse perspectives and encourages applications from professionals with varied backgrounds and experiences.
Application Process and Deadline
Interested candidates should carefully review the application requirements before submitting their materials. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a remote interview conducted via an online meeting platform.
Application deadline: 30 June 2026 at 16:00 UTC
Late applications may not be considered.
Why Become a Mentor?
Climate adaptation requires collaboration between practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and communities. By serving as a mentor in the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme, experienced professionals can share their expertise, support emerging climate leaders, and help develop innovative adaptation solutions that create lasting impact in some of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions.
For full details and to apply, visit the official Association of Commonwealth Universities website.
Discover more opportunities on Scholarships Travel.